"Of course." Uncle Zhou stepped aside and opened the car door for everyone: "Please get in, everyone."
The group boarded the car one after another.
The car doors closed one after another, the engines started quietly, and the convoy merged into the traffic outside the airport.
Outside the car window, the summer sun illuminated the city, and the green shade of the roadside trees cast shimmering spots of light on the road.
The tall buildings stand quietly, the traffic flows in an orderly manner, a scene of ordinary yet peaceful tranquility.
The convoy passed through bustling areas and gradually drove towards a more lush and tranquil area.
Finally, we stopped in front of a courtyard with white walls and black tiles, an antique feel, and a plaque that read "Juxianlou" hanging at the entrance.
Everyone got off the bus one after another.
Several tall old camphor trees in the courtyard spread out their dense shade, filtering out most of the summer heat and leaving only the cool scent of grass and trees.
Even more enticing was the complex and tempting aroma of food wafting from those vermilion doors.
The faint sounds of bowls and plates clinking and diners chatting and laughing emanating from inside the courtyard are the unique liveliness and energy of this time-honored establishment.
Lu Xici took a deep breath of the familiar fragrance in the air, a smile spreading across his face as he raised his arm: "This is the smell!"
Brothers and sisters, welcome to the taste we loved most as children!
He Zhu stretched, his face full of delight: "I love the warmth and life here! Hurry, hurry! My stomach is ready for a baptism!"
Gu Wan had already clung tightly to Lu Nange's arm, her nose twitching: "It smells so good! Just the aroma is enough to steal my soul! Nannan, lead the way, lead the way!"
The group chatted and laughed as they stepped over the bluestone threshold and passed through the ancient screen wall painted with pine and crane motifs.
A waitress dressed in an elegant cheongsam greeted us with a smile: "Hello, how many of you are there? Do you have a reservation?"
Lu Nange: "Miss Lu ordered it, the last four digits are 0088."
"Miss Lu, Guanyun Pavilion is ready for you. Everyone, this way please."
The waiter's smile deepened as he led the group up the wooden stairs to the second floor, where they arrived at a spacious and bright private room by the window.
Sunlight streamed through the exquisitely carved wooden window frames, casting dappled patterns on the large round table covered with a pale white tablecloth.
The air was filled with the warm, mellow scent of old wood and the faint fragrance of grass and trees from outside the window.
As everyone took their seats in order, the waiter who had led the way asked softly, "Distinguished guests, may we begin serving the dishes now?"
Lu Nange: "Okay, let's serve the food."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The well-trained waiters filed in.
Soon, one steaming hot and tempting dish after another was served on the table in an orderly manner.
A large, glossy, dark brown pork knuckle; a rich, milky white fish head and tofu soup; and crab roe soup dumplings with thin skin and generous filling...
They quickly filled most of the table, and the rich aroma instantly awakened everyone's taste buds.
He Zhuo: "The food is served really fast!"
Lu Xici: "When we set off here, Nan Nan had already asked them to start cooking, the timing was just right!"
He Zhuo: "It still has to be my little sister..."
Everyone: "Stop!"
Looking at the steaming, abundant dishes before them, and then at the familiar faces sitting around the table, an indescribable sense of peace spread through everyone's hearts.
Lu Xici picked up a damp towel and wiped her hands, her eyes sweeping across the room with a smile.
"The dishes are almost all served. Before we start eating, shouldn't we... have a toast?"
Shi Xu: "Yan Ge, Nan Nan, at today's welcome banquet, which of you two would like to start by saying a few words?"
Lu Nange: "Brother Yan said!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Chi Yanzhou.
Chi Yanzhou picked up the cup in front of him: "Then this first cup... is for our reunion."
"Alright!" He Zhuo responded almost instantly: "To our reunion! Cheers!"
"For the sake of reunion!"
"cheers!"
"cheers..."
......
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